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Exactly. I'm really sick of this whole societal thing about college, like pretty much as soon as you meet someone, the next thing to ask is where you went to school, and what was your major. Case in point: I was working at the fair this year, and another guy that worked there started talking to me, and shortly after that, asked if I ever thought about going to school...I told him I did, and he did also...he thought I was a lot younger. He was 10 years older, graduated, and was working there just like me. Then, an older guy was talking to me, and same thing...asked what I studied, said philosophy, and he was like, "oh, so that's why you're here." it was probably more that I didn't graduate, but still...then he was like, yeah, my son went to school for this, and now he's a chef. which is exactly my point. going to college, or what you majored in, usually has little to do with what job you end up in. so who cares. I'm just sick of the over-emphasis on college, and "ooh, what was your major?"
What is it you want to do in life (as a career)? If one chooses to take philosophy, while that may be interesting to you, it may also somewhat limit your choices after school is done (as I am sure you are smart enough to realize) UNLESS you yourself are creative and a real go-getter .. in which case you may be able to break down some barriers and figure out a way you can actually USE that degree in a workplace that hasn't heretofore had any identified need for a 'philosopher in house'.
I hate to say it but there really isn't much call for philosophy majors with no other skills or anything more than a bachelor's degree in that subject. That part is probably true - and I am sure you already know that.
When you get your foot in the door somewhere though, then it is no longer about what degree you got, it is about how you perform on the job .. so take heart there. And in 20 years for sure it will not matter any more that that is what you took at college because your resume will include a lot of actual 'experience' in some field or another I hope.
I agree though that it may be tiresome to answer when someone probes for your major but since it is (in your mind anyway), you need to come up with either a witty answer or one which shows that taking philosophy as a major was a) right for you b) has potential to do more for you than just be 'fun and interesting' - or whatever your reason was for taking it.
Umm...that was precisely my point. It's really no one else's business what I studied, or why. If people think they have the right to ask complete strangers random/personal questions, and then give their opinion on that person's choices...then they deserve a rude answer. My other point, which you also missed, was that the same people that seemed to think it so important whether I went to school, and what I studied...were essentially in the same position. their majors were not related to what they were doing at the time, either.
Thank you for your "insight", but as an, um PHILOSOPHER, I do believe we've, pardon my pun here...uh, THOUGHT about that.
Thanks again, dear, but I do have plenty of experience, and skills. And, as I should have told that old man, I do not need, nor did I ask for, your input. This isn't a job interview, so your opinion is irrelevent; kindly keep it to yourself.
No, I do not NEED to come up with an answer to justify my choice of what to STUDY, to a complete stranger, who has no bearing on my life. I'm sorry, but I'm really getting sick of people like you, who feel the need to comment on people's lives, and say whatever pops into their head, to a complete stranger. I imagine you're older, as for some reason so many of the old people I come across seem to be curmudgeonly, and always think they need to "lecture" young people...and perhaps because people apparently always think I look so much younger. But I really do not need your "opinion" or pseudo-"advice."
Why would you assume everyone needs a degree? Some of the smartest and most successful people I know skipped college and started their own businesses.
I try not to, but some people have told me (usually older) they didn't have one and it shocked me because I thought they did. Some people have told me they have a BA and they were stupid, but younger than 45.
Umm...that was precisely my point. It's really no one else's business what I studied, or why. If people think they have the right to ask complete strangers random/personal questions, and then give their opinion on that person's choices...then they deserve a rude answer. My other point, which you also missed, was that the same people that seemed to think it so important whether I went to school, and what I studied...were essentially in the same position. their majors were not related to what they were doing at the time, either.
Thank you for your "insight", but as an, um PHILOSOPHER, I do believe we've, pardon my pun here...uh, THOUGHT about that.
Thanks again, dear, but I do have plenty of experience, and skills. And, as I should have told that old man, I do not need, nor did I ask for, your input. This isn't a job interview, so your opinion is irrelevent; kindly keep it to yourself.
No, I do not NEED to come up with an answer to justify my choice of what to STUDY, to a complete stranger, who has no bearing on my life. I'm sorry, but I'm really getting sick of people like you, who feel the need to comment on people's lives, and say whatever pops into their head, to a complete stranger. I imagine you're older, as for some reason so many of the old people I come across seem to be curmudgeonly, and always think they need to "lecture" young people...and perhaps because people apparently always think I look so much younger. But I really do not need your "opinion" or pseudo-"advice."
How do you know he/she isn't a philosopher? You don't need a degree to have philosophies.
I don't assume degree or not. I mean, I assume my doctors and dentists have degrees, but I could care less about other people's educational attainment.
Another thread got me thinking of the people I've worked with who were elderly and either had no college, little college, or college that was outdated or in a different field. What's the oldest age you assume someone has college? For me, I'd assume 40. Because they'd have gone to college in the 90s and I know that was around the time college was becoming more the thing people do than the thing most didn't do. Not to say I think someone who is 45 doesn't have college. I'd be more puzzled by a 40 year old not having it.
I don't assume anyone has a degree, especially if their job doesn't require one.
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it was probably more that I didn't graduate, but still...then he was like, yeah, my son went to school for this, and now he's a chef. which is exactly my point. going to college, or what you majored in, usually has little to do with what job you end up in. so who cares. I'm just sick of the over-emphasis on college, and "ooh, what was your major?" 
